My Summer Theater Choices – What Productions I Want to See

Summer Theater in Connecticut – New Works and Old Favorites

By Karen Isaacs

 Too many difficult choices – too much excellent theater in Connecticut and the Berkshires to choose among. But here’s the shows I really hope I get to see.

Number one on my list is The Scottsboro Boys at Playhouse on Park (Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, Aug. 8). I saw this show on Broadway and was blown by it; the concept and the story of racial prejudice and a miscarriage of justice. But mostly it was the concept and music that made it so compelling.

High on my list is the new musical at Goodspeed, Because of Winn Dixie, Friday, June 28 to Sunday, Sept 1. I like new musicals and I’m a sucker for a shaggy dog.

I’ve already gotten my tickets to see Spamilton, the musical parody of you-know-what that will play at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, Wednesday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Sept. 8. I’ve heard it is terrific; Lin-Manuel Miranda loved it. This show will sell out.

Of course, at least one production of both Mamma Mia! and Cabaret will be on the list. These two shows are always worth seeing. So, you might want to choose the productions closer to you. Each are at CRT’s Summer Stage at UConn in Storrs and at Ivoryton Playhouse.

Both of the new plays – Cry It Out and Birds of North America – at Ridgefield’s Thrown Stone Theater caught my attention. I’ve not been to this relatively theater, so I want to see their work.

Crazy for You is such a fun musical (with music and lyrics by the Gershwins) that I will take a day trip to Sharon Playhouse. The Playhouse has had some ups and downs over the past few years; I hope it is now on steady footing. The show runs Friday, June 21 to Sunday, July 7.

And how can I miss a chance to see Shakespeare’s (and Fletcher’s) Henry VII at the Valley Shakespeare in Shelton, Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14.

So much in the Berkshire intrigues me. The gentle Irish comedy Outside Mulligar (Berkshire Theatre Co. in Stockbridge from Wednesday, June 19 to Saturday, July 13) delighted me on Broadway. I’d see it again.

But Gertrude and Claudius, a new play by Mark St. Germain and based on John Updike’s book, sounds fascinating. Yes, it is about Hamlet’s mother and stepfather/uncle. It runs Thursday, July 18 to Saturday, Aug. 3.

I hope I’ll get to see almost anything at Williamstown and new comedy What We May Be at Berkshire Theatre Company from Thursday, Aug. 7 to Saturday, Aug. 31.